Suhas Subramanyam warns of impact of USAID funding cuts after Nepal floods

During a prayer vigil in Northern Virginia for victims of devastating floods in Nepal, U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam raised concerns regarding the necessity of early warning systems and the impact of funding cuts.

Subramanyam noted that relief and rescue efforts face complexities due to inconsistent record-keeping in Nepal and a perceived lack of transparency from China regarding information sharing. He stated that he and other local leaders are pressuring the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Defense to ensure rescue teams have access to modern equipment, noting that while such tools are now available, their initial absence was a tragedy.

Furthermore, the Congressman warned that recent cuts to USAID funding and programs dedicated to predicting and preventing natural disasters could have long-term negative consequences for managing future catastrophes both in the region and globally.